Test Bank - Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing 14e : Assessment and Management of Patients with Hearing and Balance Disorders

The clinic nurse is assessing a child who has been brought to the clinic with signs and symptoms that are suggestive of otitis externa. What assessment finding is characteristic of otitis externa? A) Tophi on the pinna and ear lobe B) Dark yellow cerumen in the external auditory canal C) Pain on manipulation of the auricle D) Air bubbles visible in the middle ear Ans: C Feedback: Pain when the nurse pulls gently on the auricle in preparation for an otoscopic examination of the ear canal is a characteristic finding in patients with otitis externa. Tophi are deposits of generally painless uric acid crystals; they are a common physical assessment finding in patients diagnosed with gout. Cerumen is a normal finding during assessment of the ear canal. Its presence does not necessarily indicate that inflammation is present. Air bubbles in the middle ear may be visualized with the otoscope; however, these do not indicate a problem involving the ear canal. 2. While reviewing the health history of an older adult experiencing hearing loss the nurse notes the patient has had no trauma or loss of balance. What aspect of this patients health history is most likely to be linked to the patients hearing deficit? A) Recent completion of radiation therapy for treatment of thyroid cancer